The Collected Cottage

Designer Lauren Elder shares ways to add character to rooms:

• “The best way to make your home feel eclectic is to always buy the ‘tchotchkes.’ When you’re out or traveling and you see something that sparks joy, buy it.”

“A collection of fun items, mixed with happy memories, is what gives a home character.”

“Don’t discard an old rug.

Old rugs tell a story of history and love. The fact that they’re still around, protecting another floor hundreds of years later, is so cool to me.”

The kitchen design “recipe” blends several ingredients that reflect the designer’s bold approach when it came to introducing color, textures and patterns.

“By today’s standards, the kitchen wasn’t ideal; but by my standards, the Cape Cod galley-style kitchen is a dream!” Lauren says. “We don’t have galley kitchens in the South, so I was quite excited to transform this gorgeous space. We added a giant pattern on the floor to throw the scale out of whack, and the client supported the decision to paint the cabinets Sherwin-Williams ‘Honeycomb’ (SW6375). It’s the most perfect shade of marigold, and now, the space feels like a ray of sunshine. We added Fabricut Roman shades with a floral vine in an array of deep reds and purples, which made me realize that I needed to introduce a touch of red in every space of this house.”

HISTORIC COLORS

The Cape Cod-style cottage, built in 1949, is “sneaky big,” Lauren says. It features three levels, four bedrooms and five baths.

“It’s built on a gorgeous piece of property in a historic part of town that’s 20 minutes from downtown Nashville, so most of the colors I used actually came out of the ‘historic’ section of the Sherwin-Williams paint deck,” she points out. “I wanted to add pops of saturated color inside to give each space a ‘wow’ factor. I wanted to keep the exterior earthy and charming to harmonize with the surroundings and the beautiful landscape. ”

Lauren says that what sets this house apart from others she’s worked on is the unique use of feminine touches mixed with the historic color palette.

“Even after 12 years, I’m still learning how to push myself in design. If you want to paint your mantel ruby—do it!” Lauren says.

Her favorite aspect of the project is the joy you feel when you look at the rooms: “How can you walk into a yellow kitchen and not be happy for the day? This house should inspire cottage owners to take some chances with color.”

STYLISH SEATING. A large, plush, tufted sofa beckons family and guests to relax in comfortable classic style. Its neutral color blends well with the wood elements and fabrics in the space.

CHARMING COMFORT. This sitting area might be small, but it’s packed with charm—thanks to a grouping of paintings on a wall, along with warm wood paneling and comfy ottomans. It’s a study in the ambiance created by contrasting textures, from wood to soft throw blankets.

INTEREST ADDS UP. The photos on this page illustrate the impact of collecting pieces from different design eras and placing them together to add interest and appeal to a room. Lauren and her clients were open to mixing everything from mid-century pieces, such as a coffee table and floor lamp, to classic pieces, such as a tufted sofa.

|TOP| BREATHING ROOM. This bedroom is a prime example of how not filling every inch of space with furniture or accessories creates a serene, relaxing ambiance. “The client had this beautiful, simple, giant bed and these funky, little, green nightstands,” Lauren notes. “She told me the space didn’t ‘feel like her,’ so we used a trellis-style wallpaper and French country stripes for the draperies and cornice boards, as well as bamboo shades and a vintage floral fabric she already had to make some custom bedding.”

|LEFT| ROMAN TOUCH. Bamboo Roman shades are a natural-looking way to add a bit of light and style to an area.

SUNNY SPOT. The sunroom doors were painted in Sherwin-Williams’ “Jazz Age Coral.” Vintage, bamboo-style shades were added, and the ceiling was painted in rich “Billiard Green.” The coral doors softened the color of the tile floor and provided a playful vibe. “This is a place to house the client’s plant collection, her mother’s antique stove, a desk and a cozy papasan chair for reading, grandchild-cuddling and naps,” Lauren explains.